Coronavirus symptoms: what are they and should I call the doctor? | World news | The Guardian
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Find all our coronavirus coverage here Coronavirus – latest updates How to protect yourself and others from infection Tue 31 Mar 2020 08.41 BST Last modified on Tue 31 Mar 2020 09.05 BST What are the symptoms this coronavirus causes? About one in six people, the WHO says, become seriously ill. The elderly and people with underlying medical problems like high blood pressure, heart problems or diabetes, or chronic respiratory conditions, are at a greater risk of serious illness from Covid-19. In the UK, the National health Service (NHS) has identified the specific symptoms to look for as experiencing either: a high temperature - you feel hot to touch on your chest or back a new continuous cough - this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly Should I go to the doctor if I have a temperature or a cough? In the UK, you should look on the dedicated coronavirus NHS 111 website for information. If you get worse or your symptoms last longer than seven days, you should call NHS 111. People will no longer be tested for the virus unless they are in hospital. Many countries have imposed travel bans and lockdown conditions in order to try and halt the spread of the virus. You should check with your local authorities for the latest advice on seeking medical assistance. How many people have been affected? As of 31 March, more than 780,000 people have been infected in more than 170 countries, according to the Johns Hopkins University Center for Systems Science and Engineering. There have been over 37,800 deaths globally. Just over 3,000 of those deaths have occurred in mainland China, where the coronavirus was first recorded in the city of Wuhan. Italy has been hardest hit, though, with over 11,500 fatalities, and Spain has seen more than 7,700 deaths. The US now has more confirmed cases than any other country – over 160,000. Many of those who have died had underlying health conditions, which the coronavirus complicated. More than 166,000 people are recorded as having recovered from the coronavirus. Why is this worse than normal influenza, and how worried are the experts? Another key unknown is how contagious the coronavirus is. A crucial difference is that unlike flu, there is no vaccine for the new coronavirus, which means it is more difficult for vulnerable members of the population – elderly people or those with existing respiratory or immune problems – to protect themselves. Hand-washing and avoiding other people if you feel unwell are important. Have there been other coronaviruses?
